Tree-mendous week of events with The Parks Trust in Milton Keynes

The Parks Trust is encouraging the people of Milton Keynes to head outside and find out more about the many beautiful and striking trees that are located across the city this National Tree Week.

National Tree Week starts today (Sat) and runs to December 3, and is the UK's largest annual tree celebration, timed to launch at the start of the winter tree planting season.

There are lots of areas of woodland to explore in Milton Keynes, The Parks Trust manages more than 427 hectares of tree plantations across the city. Linford, Howe Park and Shenley Woods account for 99 hectares.

The trust recommends making a visit to see the following notable Milton Keynes trees:
Black Poplar, Woughton Park: The Black Poplar is Britain's most endangered native timber tree and has been in decline for the past 200 years. This tree in Woughton Park is particularly notable because of its deformed trunk.

Crab Apple, Howe Park Wood: This is believed to be the country’s second oldest Crab Apple tree. Crab Apple is one of the ancestors of the cultivated apple (of which there are more than 6,000 varieties). The Howe Park Crab Apple tree is well over 100 years old.

The Tree Cathedral, Newlands: The Tree Cathedral is one of the many things that makes Milton Keynes unique. Its outline is based on Norwich Cathedral and it was designed in 1986 by landscape architect Neil Higson. He chose different species of trees to represent the character of the Cathedral's sections: hornbeam and tall-growing lime for the Nave, evergreens to represent the central tower and spires, flowering cherry and apple as a focus in the chapels. The challenge for The Parks Trust at this site is to manage the trees as they grow, making sure original design principles are maintained while ensuring trees have the space to grow on.

Lime Tree, Great Linford Manor Park: The Linford Lime is a spectacular specimen of common lime which was planted in the 18th century as part of a landscaped garden surrounding Linford Manor. In 2016, it was shortlisted for the National Trust Woodland Tree of the year competition, finishing in the top ten in this nationwide competition.

Rob Riekie, landscape and operations director for The Parks Trust, said: “Milton Keynes is spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful woodlands and remarkable trees, so why not take the opportunity to visit somewhere different this National Tree Week?

“Looking after the city’s trees is an important part of our work and a year-round responsibility; whether that is planting new trees or managing existing ones. We are currently busy preparing for the up-coming planting season; on average The Parks Trust plants around 40,000 new trees and shrubs each year.”